Preterm Labor Patient Education

Anatomy of Pregnancy
Pregnancy brings about many physical changes. The baby grows in your uterus supported by an
organ called the placenta. The placenta begins to form and grow at the time the fertilized egg
implants in the uterus. The placenta aids in the delivery of nutrients and oxygen the baby needs
for growth; it also helps remove waste products and produces hormones that support your
pregnancy.
When you are pregnant, you have up to 50% more blood in your bloodstream. This is so the
placenta and baby will receive enough blood to work well. If the placenta does not have enough
blood flowing through it, the uterus may become “irritable” and start contracting. The blood
vessels that bring blood to and from the placenta lie behind the uterus. When you lie on your
back later in pregnancy, the weight of the uterus and baby on these vessels may decrease the
amount of blood flow to the placenta. This is why your doctor or nurse asks you to lie on your
side, especially if you had preterm contractions. Lying on your side, or with a pillow or wedge
under your hip, will help prevent a drop in blood flow to the placenta and the oxygen flow to the
baby.
The baby floats inside the amniotic sac located inside your uterus. This sac is filled with a
watery fluid (amniotic fluid), which cushions the baby. This sac does not normally break until
labor begins.
Your cervix is located at the bottom of your uterus. During pregnancy, your cervix is pointed
toward the back of your vagina and is firm (like the tip of your nose) and closed. When labor
begins, the cervix begins to shorten and open. This allows the baby to pass from the uterus into
the vagina and then out of your body.

What is Preterm?
The length of pregnancy is counted from the first day of your last period. Your due date is
calculated as 40 weeks from the first day of your last period. Here are some other terms that are
used:
ƒ A miscarriage is a pregnancy that ends before 20 weeks
ƒ A delivery is a pregnancy that ends at or after 20 weeks
ƒ A term birth is delivery at or after 37 weeks
ƒ A preterm birth is delivery between 20 and 37 weeks

Why is Preterm Labor a Problem?

Babies born before 37 weeks may have various problems due to incomplete growth and
immature development. Generally, the earlier babies are born, the more severe their problems.
These problems can affect your child for many years. Early identification of preterm labor may
help you stay pregnant longer.

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Who is at Risk for Preterm Birth?
ƒ Previous preterm labor or preterm birth
ƒ Current pregnancy with twins, triplets or more
ƒ Abnormally shaped uterus or surgery on the uterus
ƒ Incompetent cervix, cone biopsy or large fibroids
ƒ Severe kidney and urinary tract infections
ƒ Cervical dilation or effacement before 36 weeks
ƒ Excessive uterine contractions before 36 weeks
ƒ Bleeding, placenta previa, too much or too little amniotic fluid
ƒ Women having their first birth at 18 or less or 35 years or more
ƒ Women with unusual physical or mental stress

What will happen if you have to go to the hospital early?

It can be very upsetting to go to the hospital before your due date. By letting you know what to
expect, we hope you will be better prepared.
You may be told by your health care provider to go to the hospital if you are experiencing signs
and symptoms associated with preterm labor. You will be admitted by a nurse who will take
your temperature, blood pressure, etc. and place a fetal monitor on your abdomen to see if you
are having contractions and check the baby’s heartbeat.
After you have been checked in, you will be evaluated and a decision made on whether or not
you are in labor. This may take a few minutes or a few hours. If you are in preterm labor,
treatment may include bedrest, uterine activity monitoring and possibly, an IV and/or
medication. If you are not in labor, you may be sent home.

Warning Signs of Preterm Labor

You have a better sense of the changes occurring in your body than anyone else and therefore
you are the best person to identify these early signs. Reporting them to your doctor may mean
better management of your pregnancy. The following are signs that occur in preterm labor.
However, they can also be part of a healthy pregnancy. Think about if any of these signs are a
change from the way you normally feel.
ƒ Uterine contractions A contraction is a tightening of the muscle in the uterus. Using
your fingertips, you should be able to indent your uterus when it is relaxed. During a
contraction you can feel your uterus tighten and become hard. Irregular contractions
occur normally throughout pregnancy; they usually do not hurt and can occur at any time.
Preterm contractions may also be painless, but there is often a pattern to the
“tightenings.” Your uterus will feel hard over the entire surface and this tightening may
occur every 10 minutes or closer. Each contraction may last from 30-60 seconds.
Remember, preterm labor contractions are often painless and occur every 10 minutes or
closer.

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 ƒ Menstrual-like cramps These are felt low in the abdomen, just above the pubic bone.
The cramping may have a pattern or feel almost constant.
ƒ Low, dull backache The backache is located mainly in the lower back and may radiate to
the sides or front. It may be rhythmic or constant and is not relieved by change of
position.
ƒ Pelvic pressure You may feel pressure or a fullness in the pelvic area, in your back or
thighs. It may feel as though the baby is going to “fall out.”
ƒ Intestinal cramps These may occur with or without diarrhea. You may have the feeling
of “gas Pains.”
ƒ Increase or change in vaginal discharge The amount may be more than you normally
have. It may be more mucousy or watery. The color may become pink or brownish,
indicating the cervix may be changing.
ƒ “Something’s not right.” Many women with preterm labor have a sense that things do
not feel as they did before.

What to do if you think you have preterm labor

ƒ Go to the bathroom and empty your bladder
ƒ Drink plenty of fluids
ƒ Lie down on your side and rest
ƒ Record any contractions you have. Record both the time the contraction begins, as well
as the time it ends (start time and end time)
ƒ Call your health care provider if you have 5 or more contractions at regular intervals in
the next hour

Emergency Situations
Sometimes, a problem can occur that needs immediate attention. If you notice any of the signs
below, CALL YOUR DOCTOR.
ƒ Bleeding If you have vaginal bleeding, a large gush or steady stream of bright red blood,
it is an emergency. Get help right away, lie on your side and put your feet higher than
your head. Save any pads or cloths used to catch the blood.
ƒ Rupture of the bag of water (amniotic sac) Sometimes the bag of water breaks
prematurely. If you notice a gush of fluid or a steady trickle, call your doctor. Note any
color or odor of the fluid and save pads if you go to the hospital.
ƒ Severe stomach pain If you have sharp, constant, severe pain that doesn’t go away when
you change position, with or without contractions or bleeding, call your doctor.

How You Can Help Yourself at Home

If your health care provider believes that you are at risk for preterm labor or experiencing any of
the early warning signs, you may be told to do these things:

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 ƒ Increase your rest Resting on your side is a helpful way to keep your uterus relaxed.
You may be asked to elevate the foot of your bed (or couch) so that your hips are slightly
higher than your head – this will keep the pressure of the baby off of your cervix.
ƒ Fluid intake During your pregnancy, it is even more important to drink 6-8 glasses of
fluid per day as recommended for adults.
ƒ Bedrest Your doctor may ask you to take rest periods ranging from 1-2 hours twice a day
to modified or complete bedrest.
ƒ Decrease strenuous activity Your doctor may ask that you do not do any heavy physical
activity such as jogging, running, tennis or frequent trips up and down stairs. You may
also have to limit heavy lifting, cleaning and long trips.
ƒ Change in job activities Certain work activities may need to be changed or stopped.
Your doctor will talk to you if this becomes a possibility.
ƒ Sexual activity Your health care provider may ask that you stop or limit your sexual
activities
Always remember to follow your physician’s instructions about your prenatal care and
activities

What is Labor?
Labor is the process by which the uterus contracts or tightens in a regular pattern and causes the
cervix to open and prepare for delivery. When both uterine contractions and cervical change
occur, you are in labor. If this occurs before 37 weeks, you are in preterm labor. The changes in
the cervix can be evaluated during a vaginal exam by your practitioner. The cervical changes
that occur during labor include:

ƒ Softening of the cervix

ƒ Effacement or thinning and shortening of the cervix
ƒ Dilation or opening of the cervix
ƒ Movement of the cervix from a backward to a forward position in the vagina
ƒ Lowering of the baby’s presenting part (usually the head) into the birth canal
These are changes that your doctor or midwife will look for to determine if you are in labor.
Your role in the early detection of labor is to notice uterine contractions and report signs of
preterm labor.

What Causes Preterm Labor?

The cause of preterm labor is not well understood. We know that certain things are associated
with preterm labor and may increase your risk for early delivery. Common factors include
carrying twins or triplets or having had a preterm delivery in the past. At this time, preterm labor
can’t be prevented. We can only do the next best thing – identify it early and try to help the
pregnancy continue and increase your baby’s chances for a healthy life.

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